Phonak Bolero Hearing Aids & Reviews

Written by Paul Harrison

In October 2012 Phonak launched their new range of BTE (Behind the Ear) hearing aids, the Bolero Q. The ‘Q’ stands for Quest and refers to Phonaks new chip technology which incorporates their new Binaural VoiceStream features.  This has now replaced Phonaks Ambra, Solana and Cassia hearing aids.

It is available in four BTE (Behind the Ear) Styles which come in a range of colours which now includes hair and skin tone options.

Bolero Q  M312 -  Power Micro BTE

Bolero Q  M13   -  Micro BTE

Bolero Q  P         -  Power BTE

Bolero Q  SP       -  Super Power BTE

 

The Bolero is available in three levels of technology

Premium  – Q 90 – (replaced Ambra)

Advanced – Q70 – (replaced Solana)

Standard   – Q50 – (replaced Cassia

 

New Features

 

As well as retaining all the excellent features from previous ranges such as the Ambra, Phonaks new Quest technology brings us Binaural VoiceStream. This means that your hearing aids will communicate with each other and work together to enhance your listening experience. Within this technology are two innovative new features.

 

• Acclimatisation Manager – This changes your amplification levels automatically when needed. The levels and settings can also be manually adjusted
• Speech in Wind – This feature detects the wind noise in both hearing aids. It then identifies which side is receiving the clearer signal and streams it across to the other one.
• Auto SteroZoom – This automatically focuses on the voice that you are trying to hear. It then excludes noises from other directions from entering leaving the speech clear.

The Speech in Wind and Auto SteroZoom features are only available on the Bolero Q90

 

Other features include

 

• Up to 20 Channels - Each channel processes a range of frequencies so the more channels you have, the more specifically it can be programmed to suit your hearing needs.
• Ultrazoom/Stereozoom/Autozoom  -  These are all binaural microphone applications designed to enhance speech capture and noise cancellation.
  • Whistleblock – To give the wearer freedom from the annoying feedback that can occur.
  • Soundrecover – Improves the wearers ability to hear high frequency sounds while maintaining a natural sound.
  • Noiseblock – This is designed to suppress background noise leaving speech clearer. Soundrelax – This detects sudden loud noises and reduces gain automatically to cushion the sound
  • Echoblock  - This helps to ease distortion in places that would otherwise reverberate the sound eg. Large halls, churches.
  • Windblock – This manages wind noise without having to adjust microphone settings.
  • Soundflow with Flex Control – This feature detects even the most subtle changes in your listening environment and using different programmes it can adapt automatically to ensure comfort and clarity in your hearing.The flex control feature allows the user to make adjustments in real time.
  • AOV (Accoustically Optimised Vent) – This ensures the wearer has minimum occlusion

 

The Bolero Q is also wireless. Phonak have developed a range of accessories to work along side it to give you the freedom to enjoy everyday activities such as watching tv.

 

Accessories include

 

• Phonak Compilot – Streamer worn around the neck
• Phonak TV Link S – Tv transmitter/compilot charger
• Phonak Mypilot – One touch display screen remote control
• Phonak PilotOne – Basic remote control

 

 

In conclusion, the Phonak Bolero Q offers excellent technology that has wireless compatibility It is available in a range of technology levels, styles and colours to suit your individual needs. If you are interested in this technology but find ITE (In the Ear) hearing aids preferable, then you may want to try Phonaks new Virto Q range.

 

 

 

 

 

Author: Paul Harrison